public process

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Process is important and a planner needs to ensure a good process respects the rights of applicants, citizens, and the regulations. The following is a case study in Douglas County, Colorado that highlights why a planner should be nimble enough to work through the twists and turns of a contentious and long running land use application. A Douglas County land application, known as the Sterling Ranch Planned Development, was submitted in early 2009. It has continued to be in process in some way shape or form for five years, going from an approved rezoning to an overturned application to an approved rezoning, again. All the while, the ever nimble planners are along for the ride, sometimes guiding process, sometimes responding to the needs of parties involved, and sometimes trying to wrangle all the issues into a report.